GALLERY: Ban Animal Trading vs McLaren Circus
McLaren Circus' visit to the south brings joy to some and protests by others.
THE organisation Ban Animal Trading (BAT) has been visibly protesting on social media and at circus events against McLaren Circus for some time.
Volunteers for BAT follow the circus, which still make use of animals as entertainment, and protest outside each event.
BAT is against all forms of animal cruelty and protest against supermarkets who sell meat, pet shops who sell animals, zoos, and organisations that use animals for testing of medicines and other products.
They are also against dog fighting, marine aquariums, exotic pet trade, fur trade, vivisections and live animal exports, among others.
Volunteers and supporters of BAT usually stand at the entrance to the circus with placards with slogans such as, “hoot against animal abuse”, “not born to perform”, “prisoners for profit”, to name but a few.
BAT has also taken to social media urging people to boycott the circus and volunteers hand out flyers to circus-goers and passers-by .
Animals are ‘well looked after’
McLaren Circus has been accused of using Puruma Lion Farm as a holding facility for their animals and being part of their dealings.
In an interview with circus owner David McLaren, he said they no longer use Puruma Lion Farm as a holding facility.
He also made it clear during their time there they had nothing to do with Puruma’s business in breeding lions either for their bones, to be hunted, or to be shipped off to unacceptable international destinations – mostly zoos.
According to McLaren the circus rotates their animals on a regular basis to give them rest at their new holding facility.
Thus not all the animals are used in every show, even though the circus is always on the go.
The circus performs all year round, but only travel short distances at a time.
McLaren also explained the animals play a short part in the shows and stated they are well looked after.
Regular checks by veterinarians are made on all the animals and they are often visited by local SPCAs.
“We take the needs of each individual animal in consideration, doing everything to ensure they are comfortable, healthy and happy.
“We also look at each animal’s natural ability and when it comes to training them that is what we work with.
“For example, the horses run and the lions jump,” McLaren said.
“It’s also important to remember these animals are born into captivity and we take care of them professionally until they die of natural causes.”
Taking a stand
According to the flyers handed out by BAT volunteers, BAT argues circus animals travel long distances for most of the year in cramped cages, where they are left confined while the circus sets or packs up from town to town. They further state that circus animals spend most of their time in these cages, the sizes of which are not even acceptable by zoo standards, with poor light and ventilation, often standing in their own waste for days. BAT maintains most circuses claim the animals are captive born and not torn from their natural habitats.
BAT feels strongly that captive born does not mean domesticated, and animals in captivity do not lose their natural instincts. They all need to express behaviour that is natural to them.
Furthermore, BAT argues circus animals lack freedom of movement, and while they are sometimes allowed out in small exercise enclosures, they are mostly confined to their cages between performances.
Open invitation
McClaren Circus has been going for the past 15 years and it has been McLaren’s dream to own his own circus from the age of four. McLaren has invited any member of the public, media or BAT to visit the circus and see the animals.
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